If Inside

The most dangerous thing to do during the shaking of a quake is to try to leave the building because of the falling objects. Find a heavy object inside, and stay under it until it´s over.

In a Car

If you´re in your car during a quake, stop in the first available open area and stay inside until the quake is over. Most quakes only last a few seconds - the longest seconds of one´s life. Once the shaking stops, move with caution and avoid any bridges or overpasses and ramps that may have unseen damage.

Aftershocks

Be prepared for aftershocks which normally occur within seconds or minutes of the first quake. Although they are not generally as powerful as the original quake, they can still cause more damage. If you have already found a fairly safe place to be, it´s best to remain there.

Flammable Products

Round up weed killers, pesticides, and any other flammable products and store them in securely closed cabinets with latches on bottom shelves to make sure they don´t cause trouble during an earthquake.

If Outdoors

If you´re outside when an earthquake starts, move into the most open area available, away from buildings, street lights, and utility wires. Once in the open, just stay there until the shaking stops.

Does the Ground Open Up During a Quake?

Shallow crevasses can form during earthquake-induced landslides, lateral spreads, or other types of ground failures. Faults, however, do not open up during an earthquake. Movement occurs along the plane of a fault, not perpendicular to it. If faults opened up, no earthquake would occur because there would be no friction to lock them together.

San Andreas Fault Length

The famous San Andreas Fault runs for about 600 miles (950 km) through California´s coastal region. Its western side always moves northward in relation to the eastern side.

Pets

Pets may not be allowed into shelters after a quake, for health and space reasons. It´s not a bad idea to have an emergency pen prepared for pets in your home that includes, at least, a 3 day water supply and dry food.

Locating EarthQuakes

An earthquake is located by computing its distance from each seismograph station that recorded the quake.
An arc of appropriate radius is drawn around each station; the quake lies where the arcs intersect.

Clean Ups

If you´re allowed back into your home, clean up any spilled liquids: medicines, bleaches, gasolines or other possibly flammable substances as quickly as possible. But, if you should smell any gas or fumes of a chemical nature, high-tail it out of there ASAP.

Preparing Water Heaters

One of the biggest causes of damage from an earthquake is not the quake itself but the resultant fires. Many of these fires start at water heaters. Be sure your water heater is properly secured to the wall. Consult a plumber or your local fire department for specific instructions.

Quake Caused Fires

Fires are the most destructive force when a quake occurs near a modern city-moreso than the tremors. Especially if water mains and fire-fighting equipment are rendered useless, the fires burn unchecked.
In the past it was common for the doors of a fire-house to buckle during the on-set of a quake. The fire engines were trapped because the doors could not be opened. Today, most fire stations´ doors are connected to an earthquake detection system that will automatically raise all of the station´s doors on an average of 20 seconds before the tremors are actually felt by people.

Electricity

After an earthquake, you should check for electrical damage. If you see sparks or broken, frayed wires, or if you smell hot insulation, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or curcuit breaker ASAP. If the area around the fuse box or curcuit breaker is wet, you may want to get advice from an electrician first before going near it.

Survival Kit Container

In most cases you can build a better quake survival kit, for less money, than you could purchase one. Ideally, you would like enough supplies to last at least 3 days. So you need a large sturdy container, such as a rubber trash can.

Contact Plan

Develop an emergency communication plan in case family members are separated during a quake - a highly likely possibility during the day. Teach children how and when to call 911, police, or the fire department and which radio or tv station to tune into for emergency information.

Ask an out-of-state relative to serve as the family contact because after a quake it is easier to call long distance than local.

Gas

In the aftermath of an earthquake, check your home for gas leaks by using your sense of smell. If you hear a blowing or hissing noise, or smell gas, ventilate the area if possible and get out of the house. Turn off the gas at the outside main valve if you can and call the gas company from an outside phone. It´s currently recommended to only turn the gas off if your hear or smell gas. Otherwise, leave it be. Many explosions have resulted from turning gas off unnecessarily.

Checking Structure

Once an earthquake has stopped, you´ll need to have a thorough check of your home. Repair any deep cracks in ceilings or foundations and get expert advice if there are any signs of structural damage.

Telephone

It will be easier to make long distance calls rather than local ones. Of course, radio and TV broadcasts will always send out a bulletin asking people to stay off the phone. If you have an out-of-state relative, set up a contact plan with this person, so that they can call family members and significant others. Get in touch with that person briefly; let them call the rest. Otherwise keep telephone use to emergency calls only.

Chimneys

It´s not your highest priority after an earthquake, but you can save yourself a lot of future heartache by inspecting the entire length of any chimneys you may have in your home. You´re looking for damage because, oddly enough, unnoticed damage in these can lead to a fire. This is more relevant the to use the chimney, especially in colder climates where you´re inclined to use it as a heat source because of a power failure. Cracks in these structures can create awful backdrafts when a fire is started inside them.